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Butternut Lake #5
The Light In Summer
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary McNear brings you home to Butternut Lake and a novel filled with irresistible characters who you will want to call your friends.
It’s summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer...
For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy...her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke’s father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.
But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past—the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others...and realize that happiness doesn’t always mean perfection.
“Butternut Lake is so beautifully rendered, you’ll wish it was real.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“This triumphant story had me reading until the wee hours of the morning.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber on The Space Between Sisters
It’s summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer...
For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy...her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke’s father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.
But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past—the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others...and realize that happiness doesn’t always mean perfection.
“Butternut Lake is so beautifully rendered, you’ll wish it was real.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“This triumphant story had me reading until the wee hours of the morning.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber on The Space Between Sisters
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2017
347 people are currently reading
1947 people want to read
About the author
Mary McNear
14 books265 followersMary McNear is the author of the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Up at Butternut Lake, published by HarperCollins. Up at Butternut Lake was the first book in the Butternut Lake series. The second Book, Butternut Summer, is now available. The third novel in the Butternut Lake trilogy, Moonlight on Butternut Lake, will be published in May 2015. A novella, Butternut Lake: The Night Before Christmas, was available in ebook form on December 9, 2014. The third book in the series, Moonlight on Butternut Lake, was published in May 2015. The fourth Butternut Lake novel, The Space Between Sisters, is due out June 2016.
Mary McNear lives in San Francisco with her husband, two teenage children, and a high-strung minuscule white dog named Macaroon. She writes her novels at a local doughnut shop, where she sips Diet Pepsi, observes the hubbub of neighborhood life, and tries to resist the constant temptation of freshly made doughnuts. She bases her novels on a lifetime of summers spent in a small town on a lake in the northern Midwest.
She can be found on Facebook at MaryMcNearAuthor
Mary McNear lives in San Francisco with her husband, two teenage children, and a high-strung minuscule white dog named Macaroon. She writes her novels at a local doughnut shop, where she sips Diet Pepsi, observes the hubbub of neighborhood life, and tries to resist the constant temptation of freshly made doughnuts. She bases her novels on a lifetime of summers spent in a small town on a lake in the northern Midwest.
She can be found on Facebook at MaryMcNearAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 22, 2017
Another fabulous addition to the Butternut Lake series, but this could easily be read as a standalone novel.
Billy Harper, her son Luke and their dog Murphy settled in Butternut Lake after the death of her Dad and the offer of a job as the library director. Being a single mom has not been easy and as Luke enters his teen years, the challenges are becoming greater. She doesn't really date, settling for the romance she finds within the pages of the Jane Austen novels she loves. But when Cal Cooper arrives in town licking his wounds from a marriage that just ended and feeling burned out in his job, sparks fly!
Filled with fun and witty dialogue, heartfelt moments, romance and second chances, a sweet read perfect for the beach, or the lake!
Billy Harper, her son Luke and their dog Murphy settled in Butternut Lake after the death of her Dad and the offer of a job as the library director. Being a single mom has not been easy and as Luke enters his teen years, the challenges are becoming greater. She doesn't really date, settling for the romance she finds within the pages of the Jane Austen novels she loves. But when Cal Cooper arrives in town licking his wounds from a marriage that just ended and feeling burned out in his job, sparks fly!
Filled with fun and witty dialogue, heartfelt moments, romance and second chances, a sweet read perfect for the beach, or the lake!
November 27, 2017
Butternut Lake is home to Billy Harper, her teenage son Luke and her faithful Labrador retriever and confidante Murphy. Billy and Luke always had a good relationship until recently. After her father died, Luke has no male role model as Luke’s father was out of the picture before Luke was ever born. Since he disappeared soon after he and Billy got together, he never even knew Billy was pregnant. Sometimes she feels guilty that Luke knows nothing about his father, Wesley, except his name and that moved to Alaska. But why disturb things now? It could cause too many problems. And then there is the new guy in town, Cal Cooper who appears to be interested in Billy but has problems of his own to sort out.
This was an easy read and is apparently part of a series set in Butternut Lake. Though I had not read the others it did not matter. I enjoyed this book although in many ways I found the changing relationship between Billy and her son, more interesting than that with Cal. And I have to admit to getting annoyed with the name Pop-Pop by which Billy’s father and Luke’s grandfather was referred to. For some reason it grated every time I read it. But that is a minor quibble. He was a man of great wisdom. I liked this advice he gave Billy about dealing with regrets and the choices life hands you that often leads you on a different path. ’I learned then that you should work hard, have dreams, and set goals, but don’t let the things you didn’t do prevent you from being grateful for the things right in front of your eyes.’ That line really spoke to me.
This is an enjoyable read, filled with interesting characters and a great setting. Billy is a librarian and I loved the way she pointed others to books they might like and her own reading passion which focused on Jane Austin novels. It was a cute touch. I will now look up some of the other books in this series.
This was an easy read and is apparently part of a series set in Butternut Lake. Though I had not read the others it did not matter. I enjoyed this book although in many ways I found the changing relationship between Billy and her son, more interesting than that with Cal. And I have to admit to getting annoyed with the name Pop-Pop by which Billy’s father and Luke’s grandfather was referred to. For some reason it grated every time I read it. But that is a minor quibble. He was a man of great wisdom. I liked this advice he gave Billy about dealing with regrets and the choices life hands you that often leads you on a different path. ’I learned then that you should work hard, have dreams, and set goals, but don’t let the things you didn’t do prevent you from being grateful for the things right in front of your eyes.’ That line really spoke to me.
This is an enjoyable read, filled with interesting characters and a great setting. Billy is a librarian and I loved the way she pointed others to books they might like and her own reading passion which focused on Jane Austin novels. It was a cute touch. I will now look up some of the other books in this series.
July 6, 2017
Let me say upfront: Y’all are going to love the heroine, Billy. For starters, she is a librarian and a true book lover. The kind who sniffs books and has reread all Jane Austen’s novels until her copies fell apart. The kind that associates people with the books they check out. The kind who knows the fear of being somewhere without a book.
Another reason I love Billy is the fact that she carries on conversations with her sweet dog Murphy, both internally and aloud. Her dialogues with Murphy are spot on in that McNear gives Murphy such personality through these conversations. Even though, of course, he never says a word. But anyone who’s been owned by a dog knows that he doesn’t have to speak to convey how he feels.
I really enjoy Mary McNear’s writing style. It’s light and breezy, witty and warm, but there’s depth between the lines. The characters are people you would want as friends (even the somewhat quirky library patrons), and the setting of Butternut Lake makes me want to book a vacation. And I’m saying that as someone who doesn’t do camping or lakeside anything. McNear’s stories set here have made me fall in love with a place I would never willingly visit in real life. And isn’t that the beauty of fiction? To be safely adventurous, to enjoy a lake without the heat or mosquitoes, to be a librarian without having to go back to school. To fall in love all over again. To make new friends while keeping the old.
Bottom Line: When Billy’s story (and her son Luke’s) intersect with Cal’s own story, there may not be any neatly resolved storylines in their fictional lives but for readers there is a contented satisfaction. Grief, disillusionment, parenting woes, and relationship navigating – all are presented with authenticity, emotion, and heart. The romance is swoonilicious, yes, but it’s really just icing on the cake. The Light in Summer works well as a standalone, but it will make you want to go back and read the first four books to discover the stories of the other characters mentioned.
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is some profanity in this book as well as implications of intimate scenes (closed door) and some heavy-duty making out.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Another reason I love Billy is the fact that she carries on conversations with her sweet dog Murphy, both internally and aloud. Her dialogues with Murphy are spot on in that McNear gives Murphy such personality through these conversations. Even though, of course, he never says a word. But anyone who’s been owned by a dog knows that he doesn’t have to speak to convey how he feels.
I really enjoy Mary McNear’s writing style. It’s light and breezy, witty and warm, but there’s depth between the lines. The characters are people you would want as friends (even the somewhat quirky library patrons), and the setting of Butternut Lake makes me want to book a vacation. And I’m saying that as someone who doesn’t do camping or lakeside anything. McNear’s stories set here have made me fall in love with a place I would never willingly visit in real life. And isn’t that the beauty of fiction? To be safely adventurous, to enjoy a lake without the heat or mosquitoes, to be a librarian without having to go back to school. To fall in love all over again. To make new friends while keeping the old.
Bottom Line: When Billy’s story (and her son Luke’s) intersect with Cal’s own story, there may not be any neatly resolved storylines in their fictional lives but for readers there is a contented satisfaction. Grief, disillusionment, parenting woes, and relationship navigating – all are presented with authenticity, emotion, and heart. The romance is swoonilicious, yes, but it’s really just icing on the cake. The Light in Summer works well as a standalone, but it will make you want to go back and read the first four books to discover the stories of the other characters mentioned.
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is some profanity in this book as well as implications of intimate scenes (closed door) and some heavy-duty making out.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
December 17, 2018
Ahhhhh, LOVED this one! Librarian MC who is also struggling with raising a teenage boy......could a book be more relatable for me? One of my favorite in the series!
June 30, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
I love the Butternut Lake series. I really, really do. But, and it’s a very big but, in spite of the heroine being a librarian, I did not love this particular entry in the series.
The Butternut Lake series so far have all been contemporary small-town romances with more than a smidgen of what is dreadfully labelled Women’s Fiction. I hate that term but it has become a handy catch-all descriptor for stories that include a slice of women’s lives and often their strong friendships and other relationships.
I’ve also referred to Butternut Lake as “Second Chance Lake” because so many of the romances feature second chances at love, sometimes even with the original love-interest.
The series is stand-alone-ish. Each entry is complete, and the reader usually doesn’t have to know much about what came before to become familiar with the town and its residents. The Light in Summer may be the exception to that rule. The hero in this book is the brother of the heroine in the first book, Up at Butternut Lake.
But as much as I have enjoyed this series, this one did not work for me. While in most of the books there has been a lot going on in the life of the protagonists, the stories have usually given equal weight to whatever those other crises might be and the romance.
For this reader, the romance between Cal and Billy (very short for Wilhelmina) takes a far back seat to all of Billy’s quite justifiable angst over the behavior of her son Luke, who seems to be entering adolescence with a vengeance. Billy is right to worry. Luke is hanging out with the wrong crowd, getting into serious trouble, lying to her and letting his grades slip. His attitude has also dived into the toilet, but the problem isn’t the attitude so much as all the bad things and people that the attitude is leading him towards.
The recent death of Billy’s father, the only father-figure that Luke has ever had, has thrown them all into a tailspin. And Billy is caught in the age-old dilemma of how much she needs to be a parent vs. how much she wants to be a friend and confidant.
But all of Luke’s issues, and Billy’s issues with Luke, completely overwhelm the story. The romance gets such short shrift that we really don’t see it develop. We don’t have enough interactions between Cal and Billy to buy into their chemistry.
Escape Rating C: I’ll admit that I’m probably in a minority on this, but the focus on Billy’s problems as a parent, as real as they are, just don’t hold my attention. There’s a lot of teenage angst in this story, and if that was what I was looking for, I’d have found it. But it is not something that I look for, and certainly didn’t expect to find it in this book or this series.
I’m still looking forward to more in this series, but for this reader, The Light in Summer didn’t have nearly enough romantic heat. Your reading mileage may vary. But if you are looking for an entry in this series that does a much better blend of family drama with romance and small-town feels, go back to The Space Between Sisters, which was terrific. More like that, please!
I love the Butternut Lake series. I really, really do. But, and it’s a very big but, in spite of the heroine being a librarian, I did not love this particular entry in the series.
The Butternut Lake series so far have all been contemporary small-town romances with more than a smidgen of what is dreadfully labelled Women’s Fiction. I hate that term but it has become a handy catch-all descriptor for stories that include a slice of women’s lives and often their strong friendships and other relationships.
I’ve also referred to Butternut Lake as “Second Chance Lake” because so many of the romances feature second chances at love, sometimes even with the original love-interest.
The series is stand-alone-ish. Each entry is complete, and the reader usually doesn’t have to know much about what came before to become familiar with the town and its residents. The Light in Summer may be the exception to that rule. The hero in this book is the brother of the heroine in the first book, Up at Butternut Lake.
But as much as I have enjoyed this series, this one did not work for me. While in most of the books there has been a lot going on in the life of the protagonists, the stories have usually given equal weight to whatever those other crises might be and the romance.
For this reader, the romance between Cal and Billy (very short for Wilhelmina) takes a far back seat to all of Billy’s quite justifiable angst over the behavior of her son Luke, who seems to be entering adolescence with a vengeance. Billy is right to worry. Luke is hanging out with the wrong crowd, getting into serious trouble, lying to her and letting his grades slip. His attitude has also dived into the toilet, but the problem isn’t the attitude so much as all the bad things and people that the attitude is leading him towards.
The recent death of Billy’s father, the only father-figure that Luke has ever had, has thrown them all into a tailspin. And Billy is caught in the age-old dilemma of how much she needs to be a parent vs. how much she wants to be a friend and confidant.
But all of Luke’s issues, and Billy’s issues with Luke, completely overwhelm the story. The romance gets such short shrift that we really don’t see it develop. We don’t have enough interactions between Cal and Billy to buy into their chemistry.
Escape Rating C: I’ll admit that I’m probably in a minority on this, but the focus on Billy’s problems as a parent, as real as they are, just don’t hold my attention. There’s a lot of teenage angst in this story, and if that was what I was looking for, I’d have found it. But it is not something that I look for, and certainly didn’t expect to find it in this book or this series.
I’m still looking forward to more in this series, but for this reader, The Light in Summer didn’t have nearly enough romantic heat. Your reading mileage may vary. But if you are looking for an entry in this series that does a much better blend of family drama with romance and small-town feels, go back to The Space Between Sisters, which was terrific. More like that, please!
July 7, 2019
This series just gets better and better. Loved it!!
July 17, 2017
I thought this was a good book. I particularly liked the descriptions of the relationship between the main character and her son. The author did an excellent job of representing the awkward relationship between a mother and her teenage son.
As for the romance, I thought it was perfect. It wasn't so far fetched that it was impossible to believe. The characters not only seemed realistic, but had real word problems to deal with outside of their emerging relationship with one another. This novel has the perfect amount of sensuality without pushing the line into disgusting territory. I loved the way the author handled the attraction between her characters and I found myself rooting for both of them.
I love it when you can read a book and feel good about all of the characters. I liked everyone in this book equally and even now, after it has been a while since I finished it, i still think of them as if they were real people. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery, family and good friends. I loved it. The Jane Austen references made it even better.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
As for the romance, I thought it was perfect. It wasn't so far fetched that it was impossible to believe. The characters not only seemed realistic, but had real word problems to deal with outside of their emerging relationship with one another. This novel has the perfect amount of sensuality without pushing the line into disgusting territory. I loved the way the author handled the attraction between her characters and I found myself rooting for both of them.
I love it when you can read a book and feel good about all of the characters. I liked everyone in this book equally and even now, after it has been a while since I finished it, i still think of them as if they were real people. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery, family and good friends. I loved it. The Jane Austen references made it even better.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2017
I have not read any of the Butternut Lake Series before, but I had no problem following this story. I loved my visit there and will have to go back and read the rest of the series now.
This is the story of Billy and her son Luke. Billy was an eighteen year old when she found herself pregnant after her first sexual encounter. She raised Luke with the help of her parents, grandma and PopPop, and now Luke is thirteen and having issues. PopPop died a year earlier and he is struggling with his emotions. He has started to associate with some troublesome teens and get himself in hot water. Billy does not know what to do, she feels like a jailer, constantly punishing him. As the summer rolls along, their relationship takes some turns as Billy struggles with the idea of contacting Luke's father, he really wants to meet him.
Of course this book is a family drama as well as a romance and Billy meets Cal. She has not dated much and is unsure of what to do. This is a love at first sight situation, but they do not act on it right away. There is a build up to their relationship that, even though quick, it is tender and has some bumps along the road. I enjoyed the three main characters in this story. They were real, their struggles were real. Billy is a wonderful mom, who despite this, her son has some problems. At times he might seem selfish, but he is only 13 and that is the way 13 year olds are. Cal is also struggling with his life. He is not sure what is next, what direction to take or where to live. Despite all that, he is funny, easy going and caring. Of course being an avid reader, I loved that Billy is a librarian, and a good one at that. There are several books mentioned in this story, many classics, that I will check out. They are integrated into the story nicely. The secondary characters add much to the story, even though they are not in it for long periods of time. Overall a wonderful summer read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good family drama as well as some romance and happy endings. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and I am glad that I got this opportunity to read it.
This is the story of Billy and her son Luke. Billy was an eighteen year old when she found herself pregnant after her first sexual encounter. She raised Luke with the help of her parents, grandma and PopPop, and now Luke is thirteen and having issues. PopPop died a year earlier and he is struggling with his emotions. He has started to associate with some troublesome teens and get himself in hot water. Billy does not know what to do, she feels like a jailer, constantly punishing him. As the summer rolls along, their relationship takes some turns as Billy struggles with the idea of contacting Luke's father, he really wants to meet him.
Of course this book is a family drama as well as a romance and Billy meets Cal. She has not dated much and is unsure of what to do. This is a love at first sight situation, but they do not act on it right away. There is a build up to their relationship that, even though quick, it is tender and has some bumps along the road. I enjoyed the three main characters in this story. They were real, their struggles were real. Billy is a wonderful mom, who despite this, her son has some problems. At times he might seem selfish, but he is only 13 and that is the way 13 year olds are. Cal is also struggling with his life. He is not sure what is next, what direction to take or where to live. Despite all that, he is funny, easy going and caring. Of course being an avid reader, I loved that Billy is a librarian, and a good one at that. There are several books mentioned in this story, many classics, that I will check out. They are integrated into the story nicely. The secondary characters add much to the story, even though they are not in it for long periods of time. Overall a wonderful summer read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good family drama as well as some romance and happy endings. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and I am glad that I got this opportunity to read it.
January 10, 2018
DNF - I stuck with this as long as I could (175 pages) but was unable to finish - so trite and sappy. Definitely should be labeled YA, as no mature adult could hack this teenage drivel. The adult characters were as wishy washy as the kids.
September 7, 2017
nice summer read. enjoyed a lot
June 19, 2019
Easy to read. The book is about Billy Harper and her life in Butternut Lake.
September 17, 2019
My first book of hers. Obviously, I couldn't put it down!!!
August 31, 2023
It's been a few years between the first Butternut novel I read and this one. I liked this story. The characters are real. Sally and her teenage son navigating life that includes a father that Luke has never met and his mom's new boyfriend Cal. Cal my favorite, a sweet sweet man!!! Also the author inspired me to dig out my copy of Jane Austen's Emma. I'm really going to read it!
June 30, 2017
Title: The Light In Summer
Author: Mary McNear
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Series: Butternut Lake # 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Light In Summer" by Mary McNear
What a wonderful sweet emotional romance that I found had many interesting story lines that will definitely keep your interest. Be ready for a read that features a small 'Butternut Lake town living at its best with angst teenager, and many family dysfunctions' I found this novel definitely a read for all women who know that they must always be able to face the past before you will be able to move in a forward direction. The characters [Billy, Luke, Murphy [the dog], and Cal to name a few are all well developed, portrayed and even could be very believable giving this story one that will keep the reader turning the pages. Billy [the mom] will have her hands full as she is dealing with her troubled son after the death of her father. Now her son [Luke] who is wanting to know about his father and that will definitely present some extra worry for her to have to deal with. Even though this was a rather predictable read it still was a good read. To see how this will all come out I would highly recommend that the reader pick up "The Light In Summer" to see how well this author brings it out so well to the readers. This one is definitely a good fun summertime read.
Author: Mary McNear
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Series: Butternut Lake # 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Light In Summer" by Mary McNear
What a wonderful sweet emotional romance that I found had many interesting story lines that will definitely keep your interest. Be ready for a read that features a small 'Butternut Lake town living at its best with angst teenager, and many family dysfunctions' I found this novel definitely a read for all women who know that they must always be able to face the past before you will be able to move in a forward direction. The characters [Billy, Luke, Murphy [the dog], and Cal to name a few are all well developed, portrayed and even could be very believable giving this story one that will keep the reader turning the pages. Billy [the mom] will have her hands full as she is dealing with her troubled son after the death of her father. Now her son [Luke] who is wanting to know about his father and that will definitely present some extra worry for her to have to deal with. Even though this was a rather predictable read it still was a good read. To see how this will all come out I would highly recommend that the reader pick up "The Light In Summer" to see how well this author brings it out so well to the readers. This one is definitely a good fun summertime read.
May 28, 2017
Butternut Lake is a small community where Billy her son Luke and their dog Murphy enjoyed a happy life.
This Summer was different. Luke was struggling with grief after his grandfather died. He wanted to know about his real father, whom he had never met.
Romance was in the air for Billy, the town librarian with a man she met at a wedding.
As Summer progressed; big questions were answered.
Billy and Cal were an item.
Luke was happy at last.
A happy story.
I won this book from Goodreads First reads.
I hope to read more of Mary McNear's books.
This Summer was different. Luke was struggling with grief after his grandfather died. He wanted to know about his real father, whom he had never met.
Romance was in the air for Billy, the town librarian with a man she met at a wedding.
As Summer progressed; big questions were answered.
Billy and Cal were an item.
Luke was happy at last.
A happy story.
I won this book from Goodreads First reads.
I hope to read more of Mary McNear's books.
October 1, 2017
I enjoyed the book. Loved that it was set in MN. But cringed when I read inaccurate information. On page 349, Linden Hills neighborhood is in Minneapolis NOT St. Paul. Good grief. And Lake Harriet, et all are in Mpls. Ruined a good story. Check your facts, please. St. Paul is St. Paul...we are NOT the same. Thanks
January 31, 2020
I had not read this author before. It was very predictable. I had hoped for a more exciting ending.
December 5, 2018
The critic for the New York Times stated, “This triumphant story had me reading until the wee hours of the morning.” This description makes me think of thriller or a really good mystery. The Light in Summer is not a thriller. But it’s kind of a mystery. A mystery that can captivate you. But it’s also a good read for beach or the dark days of winter. I’ve never read Jane Austen but now I may have to try one of her novels… Not to mention putting Mary McNeer as an author to follow.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to climb up on my soapbox.
Billy actually drives me more crazy than her 13-year-old son.
Choose your battles is what you say to someone who has failed to set up the parent/child relationship early on.
Mum, my grandmother raised me, and raised me well. I knew what it meant when Mum said, “...because I say so.” I could whine little bit after that but basically, that was the beginning and the end of the story. Period. But I also knew that the reason she “said so” was because she loved me and always did what was best for me.
I knew she wasn’t a friend. (Until years later.) I knew she was my parent and she would be there for me and take care of me like no friend could.
A swat on the bottom is now considered horrible parenting. You’re supposed to explain to kids your reasoning. Ha! Kids want to do what they want to do. Period.
It’s hard work to be a good parent. It is much easier to just let your kid do whatever they want. Today’s parents want to be friends. Your kid has a lot of friends. He/she needs you as a parent and all that encompasses.
Start early when it’s easy. A little slap on the bottom or timeout in the corner and even a toddler begins to understand there are consequences if you don’t obey mom or dad. Later on the threat of lost privileges or extra chores should make your child obey, because your child knows where the line is.
This would serve them well as they get older. If they don’t respect and obey your rules, they won’t obey the or the rules of society or law. That makes for a tough life for them.
At least, Luke doesn’t bow and scrape to J. P., and I’m coming to like the unfortunate Van who was born a swamp and has no one to admire except a dropout. My husband would sometimes muse how people born into good circumstances would lack the compassion to understand how difficult it is to “pull up yourself up by their bootstraps” when some people don’t even have a decent pair of shoes.
“… don’t let the things you didn’t attain prevent you from being grateful for the things right in front of your eyes.”
I think the world would be a better place if we could all do this. I think this would also eliminate one of the worst things that we have in America right now. Resentment and hate for ‘the other’.
Why do people hate total strangers and, often, a whole group of people when they’ve never even got to know one of that group? Could it be they need someone to take the blame for their own failures in life?
I was surprised to find that GD word in this excellent book that doesn’t even use hell or damn. Even though it’s one of the Commandments, so many people just just regard taking God’s name in vain as nothing. They restrain from saying shit or fuck, which really are only rude, ugly words, but they will take God‘s name in vain at the drop of a hat.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to climb up on my soapbox.
Billy actually drives me more crazy than her 13-year-old son.
Choose your battles is what you say to someone who has failed to set up the parent/child relationship early on.
Mum, my grandmother raised me, and raised me well. I knew what it meant when Mum said, “...because I say so.” I could whine little bit after that but basically, that was the beginning and the end of the story. Period. But I also knew that the reason she “said so” was because she loved me and always did what was best for me.
I knew she wasn’t a friend. (Until years later.) I knew she was my parent and she would be there for me and take care of me like no friend could.
A swat on the bottom is now considered horrible parenting. You’re supposed to explain to kids your reasoning. Ha! Kids want to do what they want to do. Period.
It’s hard work to be a good parent. It is much easier to just let your kid do whatever they want. Today’s parents want to be friends. Your kid has a lot of friends. He/she needs you as a parent and all that encompasses.
Start early when it’s easy. A little slap on the bottom or timeout in the corner and even a toddler begins to understand there are consequences if you don’t obey mom or dad. Later on the threat of lost privileges or extra chores should make your child obey, because your child knows where the line is.
This would serve them well as they get older. If they don’t respect and obey your rules, they won’t obey the or the rules of society or law. That makes for a tough life for them.
At least, Luke doesn’t bow and scrape to J. P., and I’m coming to like the unfortunate Van who was born a swamp and has no one to admire except a dropout. My husband would sometimes muse how people born into good circumstances would lack the compassion to understand how difficult it is to “pull up yourself up by their bootstraps” when some people don’t even have a decent pair of shoes.
“… don’t let the things you didn’t attain prevent you from being grateful for the things right in front of your eyes.”
I think the world would be a better place if we could all do this. I think this would also eliminate one of the worst things that we have in America right now. Resentment and hate for ‘the other’.
Why do people hate total strangers and, often, a whole group of people when they’ve never even got to know one of that group? Could it be they need someone to take the blame for their own failures in life?
I was surprised to find that GD word in this excellent book that doesn’t even use hell or damn. Even though it’s one of the Commandments, so many people just just regard taking God’s name in vain as nothing. They restrain from saying shit or fuck, which really are only rude, ugly words, but they will take God‘s name in vain at the drop of a hat.
June 22, 2017
The Light in Summer tells the story of Billy Harper, a small town librarian in Butternut Lake, Minnesota. She is a single mom dealing with a rebellious 13 year old and the recent loss of her father. When Cal Cooper comes to town after his recent divorce, the connection between Billy and Cal is immediate. Will they be able to build a relationship that helps them both heal?
This is a lovely summer beach read about good people trying to make their way in the world. There is so much I enjoyed about this book.
The small town Butternut Lake setting is delightful. I read the first couple of books in this series and enjoyed them, and then picked the series back up with The Light in Summer. This book would work fine as a standalone for anyone new to the series.
I love that Billy is a librarian and she really loves books. She goes out on her porch at night and reads Jane Austen to relax. She loves suggesting books for library patrons, and even recommends my favorite series (Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace) to a young girl.
Cal is a strong and likable man, and I really liked his relationship with Billy. It was based on friendship and mutual respect as well as romantic sparks. I loved these characters together and was pulling for their happiness.
The story of Billy's son Luke and his attempts to find his place in Butternut Lake as he enters his teen years with friends and with his missing birth father is a touching aspect of the book.
And there is even a lovable dog -- Murphy the yellow lab, who is so warm and empathetic that Billy has silent conversations with him out on the porch each night.
The Light in Summer is such a heartwarming, uplifting book, perfect for a leisurely summer read. I recommend it highly for fans of women's fiction, small town fiction, and contemporary romance.
This is a lovely summer beach read about good people trying to make their way in the world. There is so much I enjoyed about this book.
The small town Butternut Lake setting is delightful. I read the first couple of books in this series and enjoyed them, and then picked the series back up with The Light in Summer. This book would work fine as a standalone for anyone new to the series.
I love that Billy is a librarian and she really loves books. She goes out on her porch at night and reads Jane Austen to relax. She loves suggesting books for library patrons, and even recommends my favorite series (Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace) to a young girl.
Cal is a strong and likable man, and I really liked his relationship with Billy. It was based on friendship and mutual respect as well as romantic sparks. I loved these characters together and was pulling for their happiness.
The story of Billy's son Luke and his attempts to find his place in Butternut Lake as he enters his teen years with friends and with his missing birth father is a touching aspect of the book.
And there is even a lovable dog -- Murphy the yellow lab, who is so warm and empathetic that Billy has silent conversations with him out on the porch each night.
The Light in Summer is such a heartwarming, uplifting book, perfect for a leisurely summer read. I recommend it highly for fans of women's fiction, small town fiction, and contemporary romance.
June 29, 2017
Booknerds alert! You will fall in love with the resident librarian of Butternut Lake in Mary McNear's The Light in Summer. How could you not? One that finds reading as her favorite past time, plus a fan of Jane Austen, is bound to resonate with readers.
". . . it's why I keep at least three books in my shoulder bag at all times. In case I finish one and I don't like another. I also keep a book in the glove compartment of my car, and a couple more of them in the trunk. Just for good measure. Because you never know when you're going to need a book." (162)
Words of wisdom or a little over the top? I'm not so sure at times, but she does have a point. *smiley face. Billie is the librarian, but also a mother of a teenage boy who just suffered a lost and don't know how to deal with that grief. His answer's to lash out at his mother, and seek the father he never knew. As this mother and son try to handle this change in familial dynamics, readers get a sense of what complications life can throw at you. A story that takes you page after page, The Light in Summer has a lightness to it in a small town setting that just makes it an easy read, despite touching on some heavy topics like grief and parenting.
The characters are interesting, yet there is a certain disconnect which I believe have more to do with it being a part of the series. Though it can be read as a standalone, The Light in Summer may be a good tie-in to the rest of the series.
For my clean readers, please note there are some intimacy in this book that goes beyond kisses.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
". . . it's why I keep at least three books in my shoulder bag at all times. In case I finish one and I don't like another. I also keep a book in the glove compartment of my car, and a couple more of them in the trunk. Just for good measure. Because you never know when you're going to need a book." (162)
Words of wisdom or a little over the top? I'm not so sure at times, but she does have a point. *smiley face. Billie is the librarian, but also a mother of a teenage boy who just suffered a lost and don't know how to deal with that grief. His answer's to lash out at his mother, and seek the father he never knew. As this mother and son try to handle this change in familial dynamics, readers get a sense of what complications life can throw at you. A story that takes you page after page, The Light in Summer has a lightness to it in a small town setting that just makes it an easy read, despite touching on some heavy topics like grief and parenting.
The characters are interesting, yet there is a certain disconnect which I believe have more to do with it being a part of the series. Though it can be read as a standalone, The Light in Summer may be a good tie-in to the rest of the series.
For my clean readers, please note there are some intimacy in this book that goes beyond kisses.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
June 19, 2017
I received this book thru a Goodreads First-reads offer. Since it was fifth in a series, I decided to read the first four books in case of cross-over storylines or characters. All the books take place primarily in Butternut Lake Minnesota - a small town hours north of Minneapolis and not far from Duluth. The main female character Billy Harper is new in the series. She has been the town librarian for a few years and is the single mother of a 13-year old boy who is experiencing some issues. Primarily wanting to meet his father (who doesn't even know that he has a son). The main male character is Cal Cooper. Cal has returned to Butternut Lake, when he spent his first 18 summers, from Seattle where he was married and had a very successful architectural firm. Cal is the younger brother of Allie who was featured in the first book in the series.
Tho I enjoyed the book, and the series, I found this book to be more drawn out in the first three-quarters, and then rushed to wrap things up without a complete conclusion to the characters stories. That seems to be a habit of this author - leave the reader hanging, but not give an update on all the characters in subsequent books.
Tho I enjoyed the book, and the series, I found this book to be more drawn out in the first three-quarters, and then rushed to wrap things up without a complete conclusion to the characters stories. That seems to be a habit of this author - leave the reader hanging, but not give an update on all the characters in subsequent books.
September 18, 2018
A lovely book for summer reading I enjoyed.
From Amazon:
It’s summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer...
For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy...her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke’s father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.
But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past—the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others...and realize that happiness doesn’t always mean perfection.
From Amazon:
It’s summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer...
For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy...her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke’s father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.
But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past—the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others...and realize that happiness doesn’t always mean perfection.
June 25, 2019
I love reading the Butternut Lake series. I enjoyed this book as well as the rest. This story was a bit different as it was more in the town of Butternut. Billie is the librarian and lives in the town not the lake. Her son arrives into teen years and has some teen angst. I thought the story was a good one, missing father, devoted mother, issues a boy has with not knowing his father and of course a new man on the scene. The emotions are real; the story written well. I love that this author draws you right into her books and you can feel the emotions, imagine the places she describes. This series is a bit different in that she does not concentrate on only a few characters, she brings in new ones with new problems. A few previous characters make appearances from time to time so it ties all the books together. At first I wanted to see more of the characters we know but after reading the series I am so happy the way Mary has written her stories and happy to meet more people of Butternut Lake. I am so sorry to be at the end of the series, just one more book and that's it.
August 6, 2025
Billy Harper is satisfied with her quiet life in Butternut for the most part. She loves her job as head librarian her evenings spent reading Jane Austen on the porch with her beloved dog Murphy. She also enjoys being a mother to Luke her thirteen year old son . She has raised Luke alone and up until recently had no cause for concern but lately moody and sullen he refuses to listen to her. But it looks like life may take a more interesting turn when Cal Cooper arrives in Butternut to spend a month at his sister's lakeside cabin and get over his divorce. Attraction between Cal and Billy is almost instant. But life has never been a Jane Austen novel and Billy is going to have to tell Luke's biological father Wesley that he has a thirteen year old son he never knew existed. Will this complicated story find a happy resolution? Can Jane Austen loving Billy dare to try for her own storybook romance? A wholesome small town contemporary romance with a hint of mild spice it was a truly enjoyable read. I loved Butternut and it's inhabitants I can't wait to make another visit.
August 19, 2017
Haha I didn't find out this was a series until AFTER I finished the book. I can say that you most certainly don't have to read the books before to enjoy it though! It was a very fast and easy read.
I think this story was really good. Dealing with the reality of raising a child and decisions behind that, meeting the perfect guy over the Summer, and having to consider what to do in the present time.
I loved Billy and of course her job as a librarian! I felt like she wasn't perfect and that made easier to like her. I wasn't as fond of Luke's character. His feelings and thoughts were half realistic and half not for me and he was a little in that gray area for me.
I also felt like after only a few meetings Cal and Billy fell together rather quickly. And that any intimacy could have been left out. It just doesn't bring anything good into the story for me.
All in all it was a cute read and I may read more from the Butternut Lake series!
I think this story was really good. Dealing with the reality of raising a child and decisions behind that, meeting the perfect guy over the Summer, and having to consider what to do in the present time.
I loved Billy and of course her job as a librarian! I felt like she wasn't perfect and that made easier to like her. I wasn't as fond of Luke's character. His feelings and thoughts were half realistic and half not for me and he was a little in that gray area for me.
I also felt like after only a few meetings Cal and Billy fell together rather quickly. And that any intimacy could have been left out. It just doesn't bring anything good into the story for me.
All in all it was a cute read and I may read more from the Butternut Lake series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2019
Billy Harper loves living in Butternut Lake. Billy is a single parent who has raised her son Luke with the help of her parents and never told his father she was pregnant. Now Luke has gone from a good student and friendly kid to someone who is hanging around with the wrong crowd. Billy's father passed away but before he died he gave her an envelope with information from a private detective who found where Luke's father is living. Billy is undecided when or if she wants to share this information but on the way to taking Luke to summer camp he asks more questions and tells her he wants to find out about his father. Billy has finally met someone who she starts to date and life gets complicated but her son's needs must come first.
August 24, 2017
i have had trouble finishing books this year. Goodreads assures me that I am 10 books behind the goal I set myself at the start of the year. This book helped me get back on track. I could identify with the main character because of my love of Jane Austen's novels and the fact that my son is hardly older than hers. Her struggles and fears seemed familiar. Because it's a feel-good novel, all ends well for the son and his mom, and this summer especially, when death, sickness and sadness have burdened many of my friends, I needed that reassurance: most of the time, life turns out ok. This is a very sweet book.
September 1, 2017
This is the first novel I've read by Mary McNear, and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the story. I really liked Billy because I relate to her well. She and I both share the love of reading, especially Jane Austen. It was a little predictable, but it was a fun, entertaining read. There isn't a lot of profanity or violence, but there are a few "intimacy" scenes and discussions about "intimacy;" some of them are more detailed than others. I would recommend this book for adults only. You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.
October 20, 2017
Billy Harper is a single mother and the head librarian in the town of Butternut Lake. Merely trying to survive the onset of her son’s adolescence, Billy frequently copes by talking to her labrador, Murphy, on the back porch, with a glass of wine and a Jane Austen novel. Her son Luke has never met his father, but now that Billy’s father has passed away, Luke becomes curious and wants Billy to contact a man she hasn’t spoken to since before Luke was born. Meanwhile, Luke has been hanging out with a high school dropout and another rebellious teen, which landed him a visit to the local police station. Billy has to leave from a wedding to pick him up, with a ride from the new arrival in town, Cal, a former architect who rode in from Seattle in a Porsche. The Light in Summer: A Butternut Lake Novel is a humorous foray into summer love and second chances. For discussion questions, similar reads, and a themed recipe for fluffernutter Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Marshmallow Fluff and PB Swirled Frosting, visit http://hub.me/alx4V.
May 22, 2017
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and this is my honest review.
I was familiar with the Butternut Lake series by Mary McNear. I read the first book and enjoyed it, so when I saw the giveaway for another in the series, I was interested in reading it. This book is about Billy and her son Luke. Billy raised Luke with the help of her parents and now Luke is wondering about his father. This is a very enjoyable book and a nice summer read. I loved the fact that Billy is the local librarian. I liked the way that books are woven into the story. I highly recommend.
I was familiar with the Butternut Lake series by Mary McNear. I read the first book and enjoyed it, so when I saw the giveaway for another in the series, I was interested in reading it. This book is about Billy and her son Luke. Billy raised Luke with the help of her parents and now Luke is wondering about his father. This is a very enjoyable book and a nice summer read. I loved the fact that Billy is the local librarian. I liked the way that books are woven into the story. I highly recommend.
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